GCE-US Statement on FY21 Appropriations

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GCE-US Statement on FY21 Appropriations

December 21, 2020 | | News | GCE-US

Contact:
Jennifer Rigg, Executive Director
202-765-2251, jrigg@gce-us.org

Washington, D.C., December 21, 2020 – The Global Campaign for Education-US (GCE-US) commends Congress for voting to fund international basic education at $950 million for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. This funding includes $125 million to support the Global Partnership for Education, which strengthens education systems in developing countries; $25 million for Education Cannot Wait, which supports education in emergencies with built-in agility and emergency design that allow for the quick deployment of resources; and $150 million designated for girls’ education in conflict settings.

With $75 million of additional basic education funding over FY 2020 enacted levels, USAID and its partners can better support children and youth who are out-of-school around the world and improve the quality of education they receive. In the midst of the COVID-19 emergency, the need for international education resources has increased for children around the globe.

We are grateful to global education champions Chairwoman Nita Lowey, Ranking Member Hal Rogers, Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, Representative Barbara Lee, Chairman Lindsey Graham, Ranking Member Patrick Leahy, the members of the House and Senate Appropriation Committees, and the members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) for their support to fund international basic education at these levels. GCE-US greatly appreciates the hard work of the members of Congress and congressional staff who shepherded this vital appropriation through Congress.

GCE-US applauds Chairwoman Lowey’s incredible leadership over her service in Congress and encourages all to expand the vital bipartisan efforts to fully fund global education. We welcome the bipartisan acknowledgement of Chairwoman Lowey's dedication to global education by renaming the Nita M. Lowey Basic Education Fund in her honor. This bipartisan tribute reflects Chairwoman Lowey’s lifelong commitment to education, especially for girls.

Education around the world is even more critical now that over 1 billion children have had their education interrupted due to COVID-19. For this reason, it is crucial to address the escalating threats from COVID-19 that are impacting children’s access to education across the globe, and include emergency funding for international education in future COVID-19 relief measures.

GCE-US looks forward to working with Congress and the administration to implement this funding increase and ensure universal quality, inclusive education, which is at the core of all human development.